13-Day Borneo Overland Tour: Sarawak, Sabah, & Brunei

Your transfer awaits you at the arrival at the airport and brings you to your first hotel in Borneo. The first day will be spent in Kuching, the “City of Cat”. Relax at the waterfront before enjoying a good night’s rest. The next day you’re completely free, so you can explore the historical quarters of Kuching at your own leisure and discover its unique and multi-cultural influences. Visit some of the best museums in Borneo and try some delicious Sarawak street food. Or alternatively, you can try out our optional, guided bike tour to explore the city on two wheels, which includes local food and drinks.

On the third day, visit one of the oldest national parks in Borneo, Bako National Park. Bako offers the perfect introduction to Borneo’s forests and wildlife. It’s the perfect place to spend the day in search of proboscis monkeys, wild boar, exotic birds, and snakes. We then embark on an adventure with easy trekking through the rainforest and this journey involves a 20-minute boat cruise to the Bako Peninsula from the fishing village of Kampong Bako. Lunch at the park canteen is included.

Meals: Breakfast on days 2 and 3, lunch on day 3

Accommodation: Kuching Imperial Riverbank Hotel, 3 stars or similar

Today, we head into the remote Borneo interior on a journey to discover the headhunter’s of Borneo, the Iban tribe.

But before we leave Kuching, we have an early appointment with “wild-man of the jungle”, the orangutan, at the Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuary. This center is where the orangutans are rescued from captivity and kept for surveillance and rehabilitation. Visit them as feeding time approaches, the orangutans emerge from the rainforest, descending from the forest canopy to the lower branches of trees near the feeding platform.

After the orangutans, we continue our 5-hour journey to Batang Ai, passing paddy fields, pepper plantations, farms, roadside kampungs, and tropical jungles. Stop at the small town of Serian to visit the market and later for lunch at Lachau. On arrival at the Batang Ai Dam, board a native boat for the upriver journey to an Iban Longhouse. Long ago, the Ibans were feared for their headhunting activities. Visiting the descendants of the feared warriors in one of the last remaining remote authentic Iban longhouses is quite the cultural experience.

In the evening, enjoy a native dinner prepared by your guide with rounds of ‘tuak’, the host’s homemade rice wine. Stay overnight in the longhouse. The next day, after breakfast, take a walk to visit the native’s farms and an Iban burial ground. Enjoy lunch the traditional way, with food cooked on bamboo or in a stone barbecue pit. Bring your swimwear as there may be opportunities to swim in the river. If there has been no rain in the days prior to your visit, the waters will be clear and refreshingly cool. Later, return to the longhouse to enjoy your surroundings. On the last day of our exploration of Borneo’s interior, we bid farewell to our longhouse hosts. We will then return to the river jetty for your journey back to Kuching. Lunch is at a local cafe on the journey home before the drop off at your city hotel.

Meals: Breakfast (days 4, 5, 6), lunch (days 4, 5, 6), and dinner (days 5 & 6)

Accommodation: 

• Days 4 and 5: Batang Ai Longhouse (basic accommodation)
• Day 6: Imperial Riverbank Hotel, 3 stars or similar

Transfer to Kuching airport for an early morning flight to Miri. After a transfer from Miri airport, we head straight to Niah National Park. This park is host to where the oldest modern human remains in South East Asia were found, making the park one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Yet there is much more to Niah than archaeology. A vast cave swarming with bats and swiftlets; the thriving local economy based on birds-nests and guano; ancient cave paintings, a majestic rainforest crisscrossed with walking trails, and abundant plant and animal life. All this and more make up the geological, historical, and environmental kaleidoscope that is Niah. The total journey will normally take 3-4 hours to complete. We then head to the town of Niah for lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, we drive into the city of Miri to check-in and rest before proceeding to a 3-hour evening tour of Miri City, featuring Marina Bay (Seahorse Lighthouse), Canada Hill, the night market (only Thu-Sat), and award-winning Miri City Fan Park. Dinner is at the guest’s own expense during the tour.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Flight: Kuching to Miri (AK 6180 07:35 (KCH) – 08:40 (MYY))

Accommodation: Miri Imperial Palace Hotel, 4 stars or similar

Today, we head across the international border to Brunei by land for a day tour before another boat crossing further north to re-enter Malaysia’s island territory of Labuan.

Brunei is one of the richest countries in the world thanks to its petroleum income and its head of state, the Sultan of Brunei, is among the richest men in the world. We visit Kuala Belait and Seria where Brunei’s oil and gas industry is centered, before heading into Brunei’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. Along the way, we drive past Jerudong Park, the Brunei Sultan’s polo ground, and the Empire Hotel, a local 6-star hotel.

The skyline of Bandar Seri Begawan is dominated by the Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, one of the most magnificent mosques in Southeast Asia. A replica of a 16th-century royal barge is moored in an adjoining lagoon. We continue with visits to the Brunei National Museum and The Royal Regalia Center which houses a collection of Royal Regalia including the Royal Chariot, gold and silver ceremonial armory, jewel-encrusted crowns, and other pieces of interest. We then make a quick photo stop at Kampong Ayer (Water Village) before a lunch break at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we take a 1-hour boat cruise crossing into Malaysia again to the island of Labuan, a tax-free haven off the coast of Borneo. After a quick transfer to the hotel, you are free to explore the small island city and visit a duty-free shop where you can purchase cheap beers and chocolates. Dinner is at your own leisure.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Boat: Brunei to Labuan at 4:40 PM (1 hour)

Accommodation: Labuan Point Hotel, 3 stars or similar

After breakfast, we begin a historical tour of Labuan that features Japanese soldiers surrendering to the Allied forces during World War Two. The tour starts by visiting the Labuan Museum, then Peace Park, the War Monument, the Commonwealth Memorial Park, and the Chimney (Coal Museum). After an early lunch at a local restaurant, at the guest’s own expense, we then proceed to the jetty for a 20-minute, domestic cross-state boat journey to Menumbok in Sabah State. 

Take a transfer using the quiet backroads to the Tempurung Golden Beach Resort, a family-run resort nestled in a peaceful stretch of unspoiled beach near Kuala Penyu (Turtle Estuary). In the evening, proceed to the firefly boat trip amid the mangroves of the Klias River, with high chances of spotting proboscis monkey and long-tail macaque. A traditional fish dinner will be served at a restaurant near the jetty while you wait for the fireflies to emerge from the night sky. Stay overnight in the simple, but peaceful, beach chalet at Tempurung Golden Beach Resort. 

The next morning, we visit Pulau Tiga Park (Survivor Island), made famous thanks to the highly successful reality TV series, “Survivor”. After a short drive to Kuala Penyu Town jetty, we take a 30-minute boat ride to reach the island. This untouched piece of nature’s playground is beautiful with its landscape and bountiful marine life. One can simply jump off the boat and spend time swimming or snorkeling in its clear turquoise waters. After swimming or snorkeling sessions, transfer to the main island of Pulau Tiga Park. Light refreshments (sandwich & water) will be served on the island. The next activity is jungle trekking to the mud volcano, where you can enjoy a mud bath. At around noon, we take a boat transfer back to Kuala Penyu jetty and head back to Tempurung Golden Beach Resort for a late lunch. The rest of the day is free for you to fully relax and explore the deserted beaches. A seafood steamboat dinner is served at the beach patio of the resort just after your sunset beach walk.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on both days

Boat: Labuan to Menumbok at 13:00 PM (20 minutes)

Accommodation: Tempurung Golden Beach Resort, 1 star or similar

After breakfast, we make a 3-hour journey into Kota Kinabalu, the vibrant capital city of Sabah State. The rest of the day in Kota Kinabalu is free time for you to do your final souvenir shopping or explore at leisure Kota Kinabalu’s waterfront.

The next day, we head inland to discover the majestic Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in South East Asia. After breakfast, we take a 2-hour drive to Kinabalu Park, passing villages and paddy fields along the mountainous road. On a clear day, you will be able to see Mount Kinabalu and its surrounding valleys. We make a stop at Nabalu Market to shop for local natives products, homegrown vegetables, and handmade crafts. 

We then proceed to Kinabalu Park for a walk through its botanic garden, Malaysia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Crowned for its outstanding universal values and Malaysia’s most important biological sites. After our walk through the park, depart for lunch in a local restaurant near Poring Hot Springs, named after the tall bamboo plant that is abundant in the area. At these natural hot springs, you can soak in Japanese baths, filled with invigorating sulfur water that is believed to have curative powers and medicinal value. After the rejuvenation, trek for 20 minutes to the Canopy Walkway where bridges are suspended 41 meters above the tropical jungle. Return to Kota Kinabalu on an approximately 3-hour journey and we will drop you off at your city hotel. 

On the day of the departure, hotel checkout time is before 12 noon and transfer to the airport is 3 hours before your flight’s departure. The tour ends and you return home!

Meals: Breakfast (days 11, 12, & 13) and lunch on day 12

Accommodation: Dreamtel Hotel, 3 stars or similar